WTA Tour choosing money over equality

Toronto's own Sharon Fichman stretches to hit a shot against Serbia's Jelena Jankovic yesterday at the Rogers Cup. It was all for naught though, as the former world No. 1 stamped out the hometown girl's hopes with a 6-4, 7-6 (8) win. (ERNEST DOROSZUK/Toronto Sun)

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Tennis legend Billie Jean King and WTA chief executive Stacey Allaster had just finished talking about the importance of equality — in life and in sport — when a question arose about a decision at the Rogers Cup some might suggest goes against that theme.

The boys are coming to the girls tournament and they are getting a paycheque to be here.

Meanwhile, no women have been invited to Montreal.

First-round losers in Montreal, Bernard Tomic and Felipe Lopez will jet to Toronto to take part in an exhibition series on Thursday night as part of an apparent Tennis Canada experiment that could see a men’s invitational installed at the women’s event down the road.

The ousted men have apparently been offered $20,000 to come to the Rexall Centre, expenses paid.

Legends Pete Sampras, John McEnroe and Jim Courier are also slated to play in Toronto this week along with James Blake as part of exhibition play to be featured on Centre Court later this week.